Outdoors, yoga: Doctors’ health prescription to self

AHMEDABAD: It’s doctors who advise patients to keep an eye on vitals, but when it comes to data on doctors themselves having issues such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity in Gujarat, major medical organizations are silent.
Dr Bharat Gadhvi, president of Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (AHNA), said that a recent survey by AHNA for member doctors indicated a low prevalence of hypertension and diabetes.“But we need much wider data on multiple parameters to ascertain the health of doctors,” he added.
As India celebrates National Doctors’ Day on July 1, city-based medical practitioners say that they have taken up fitness regimes ranging from cycling, trekking and running to yoga to keep fit.
Dr Hemant Leuva and Dr Surabhi Leuva on Saturday summited Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America.
With this feat, the doctor couple has summited highest peaks in five continents. Co-founder of Mountain Movers, Dr Hemant Leuva said that in the past few years, about 800-odd doctors from Gujarat have participated in various mountaineering camps.
For Dr Jagat Patel, a city-based physician, asthma at an early age led him to running and swimming. Dr Patel became the first Ironman from Gujarat where he swam for 3.8km, cycled 180km and ran 42 km.
“We are a family of doctors. My father and my son too are doctors. I understand the importance of keeping healthy and follow what I advise. After Covid-19, many doctors have taken to fitness activities,” he said.
Her family members facing health issues including diabetes made Dr Rima Joshi, a city-based dermatologist, understand the value of health at an early age.
“I dedicate an average of one-and-a-half hours to my fitness which ranges from going to the gym to jogging irrespective of where I am. It has kept health issues away,” she said.
Likewise, Dr Namrata Shah, an anaesthetist, turned to yoga a decade ago and is also a trainer.
“A viral infection and its long-lasting impact motivated me to take up yoga including exercise, meditation and pranayama. It has helped me cope with health issues and in carrying out my duties where I attend to critical patients,” she said.